Fruity odorant

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns the use as perfuming ingredient (of the fruity type) of a compound of formula (I) in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or of a mixture thereof, and wherein R 1  represents a C 1-3  alkyl or alkenyl group, R 2  represents a methyl or ethyl group, R 3  represents a C 1-4  alkyl or alkenyl group, and said compound (I) has from 8 to 12 carbon atoms.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of perfumery. Moreparticularly, it concerns some di-ester compounds which possess a fruityodor.

The present invention concerns the use of said compounds in theperfumery industry as well as the compositions or articles containingsaid compounds.

PRIOR ART

To the best of our knowledge, none of the invention's compounds havebeen reported or suggested as perfuming ingredient. In some instance,some invention's compounds have been reported in the context ofsynthesis.

Some analogues are reported in the literature as flavoring ingredients.In particular one may cite ethyl acetyl lactate (reported inhttp://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1582561.html) and isdescribed only for flavoring uses. This compound is reported also as oneof the many constituents of pineapple (see Journal of Essential OilResearch, 2001, 13, 314).

However, these prior art documents do not report or suggest anyorganoleptic properties of the compounds of formula (I), or any use ofsaid compounds in the field of perfumery.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

We have now surprisingly discovered that a compound of formula

-   -    in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or of a mixture        thereof, and wherein R¹ represents a C₁₋₃ alkyl or alkenyl        group, R² represents a methyl or ethyl group, R³ represents a        C₁₋₄ alkyl or alkenyl group, and said compound (I) has from 8 to        12 carbon atoms;        can be used as perfuming ingredient, for instance to impart odor        notes of the fruity type.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said compound (I)is a C₈ or C₁₀ compound.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said R¹ group mayrepresent a C₂ or C₃ alkyl group, e.g. ethyl or n-propyl or iso-propyl.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said R² group mayrepresent a methyl group.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said R³ group mayrepresent a C₂₋₄ alkyl group, e.g. ethyl or n-propyl, iso-propyl orter-butyl.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said R¹ grouprepresents a C₂ or C₃ alkyl group, R² represents a methyl group, R³represents a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, and one of said R¹ or R³ represents abranched alkyl group and the other a linear alkyl group.

A compound of formula (I), having 10 carbon atoms and wherein all R¹, R²and R³ are alkyl groups, is also a novel compound, provided that(1S)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl pyruvate is excluded, and is thereforeanother aspect of the present invention.

As non-limiting example of invention's compounds one may cite (-)-propyl(2S)-2-(isobutyryloxy)propanoate, which represents a preferredembodiment of the invention, and possesses a velvetyfruity-apricot/mirabelle type note.

In fact, it has been found that this compound can be used also to impartfruity-apricot odor as top-note, said top note being fresh, etheryreminding of the apricot peel rather than an alimentary note. This topnote is quite surprising, indeed, other known apricot type compounds,such as the lactones (e.g. undecalactone gamma) or Veloutone(2,2,5-trimethyl-5-pentyl-1-cyclopentanone; origin: Firmenich SA), areknown to impart only bottom-notes of the apricot type with a strongalimentary aspect.

Furthermore one may also mention (-)-(S)-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethylpivalate, which possesses a fruity-aromatic odor, close to the one ofisopentyrate (1,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl isobutyrate; origin: Firmenich SA),a known perfuming ingredient.

Another example of invention's compounds is represented by (-)-ethyl(S)-2-(propanoyloxy)propanoate, which possesses a fruity-vinous notewith a floral aspect.

When the odor of these invention's compounds is compared with that ofthe prior art (i.e. ethyl 2-acetoxoypropanoate), then the invention'scompounds distinguish themselves by clearly lacking the herbaceous notewhich is characteristic of the prior art compound. This is also the caseof all the invention's compounds.

As mentioned above, the invention concerns the use of a compound offormula (I) as perfuming ingredient. In other words it concerns a methodto confer, enhance, improve or modify the odor properties of a perfumingcomposition or of a perfumed article, which method comprises adding tosaid composition or article an effective amount of at least a compoundof formula (I). By “use of a compound of formula (I)” it has to beunderstood here also the use of any composition containing compound (I)and which can be advantageously employed in perfumery industry as activeingredients.

Said composition, which in fact can be advantageously employed asperfuming ingredient, is also an object of the present invention.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is a perfumingcomposition comprising:

-   i) as perfuming ingredient, at least one invention's compound as    defined above;-   ii) at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a    perfumery carrier and a perfumery base; and-   iii) optionally at least one perfumery adjuvant.

By “perfumery carrier” we mean here a material which is practicallyneutral from a perfumery point of view, i.e. that does not significantlyalter the organoleptic properties of perfuming ingredients. Said carriermay be a liquid.

As liquid carrier one may cite, as non-limiting examples, an emulsifyingsystem, i.e. a solvent and a surfactant system, or a solvent commonlyused in perfumery. A detailed description of the nature and type ofsolvents commonly used in perfumery cannot be exhaustive. However, onecan cite as non-limiting example solvents such as dipropyleneglycol,diethyl phthalate, isopropyl myristate, benzyl benzoate,2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-1-ethanol or ethyl citrate, which are the mostcommonly used.

By “perfumery base” we mean here a composition comprising at least oneperfuming co-ingredient.

Said perfuming co-ingredient is not of the formula (I). Moreover, by“perfuming co-ingredient” it is meant here a compound, which is used inperfuming preparation or composition to impart a hedonic effect. Inother words such a co-ingredient, to be considered as being a perfumingone, must be recognized by a person skilled in the art as being able toimpart or modify in a positive or pleasant way the odor of acomposition, and not just as having an odor.

The nature and type of the perfuming co-ingredients present in the basedo not warrant a more detailed description here, which in any case wouldnot be exhaustive, the skilled person being able to select them on thebasis of its general knowledge and according to intended use orapplication and the desired organoleptic effect. In general terms, theseperfuming co-ingredients belong to chemical classes as varied asalcohols, lactones, aldehydes, ketones, esters, ethers, acetates,nitriles, terpenoids, nitrogenous or sulphurous heterocyclic compoundsand essential oils, and said perfuming co-ingredients can be of naturalor synthetic origin. Many of these co-ingredients are in any case listedin reference texts such as the book by S. Arctander, Perfume and FlavorChemicals, 1969, Montclair, N.J., USA, or its more recent versions, orin other works of a similar nature, as well as in the abundant patentliterature in the field of perfumery. It is also understood that saidco-ingredients may also be compounds known to release in a controlledmanner various types of perfuming compounds.

For the compositions which comprise both a perfumery carrier and aperfumery base, other suitable perfumery carrier, than those previouslyspecified, can be also ethanol, water/ethanol mixtures, limonene orother terpenes, isoparaffins such as those known under the trademarkIsopar® (origin: Exxon Chemical) or glycol ethers and glycol etheresters such as those known under the trademark Dowanol® (origin: DowChemical Company).

By “perfumery adjuvant” we mean here an ingredient capable of impartingadditional added benefit such as a color, a particular light resistance,chemical stability, etc. A detailed description of the nature and typeof adjuvant commonly used in perfuming bases cannot be exhaustive, butit has to be mentioned that said ingredients are well known to a personskilled in the art.

An invention's composition consisting of at least one compound offormula (I) and at least one perfumery carrier represents a particularembodiment of the invention as well as a perfuming compositioncomprising at least one compound of formula (I), at least one perfumerycarrier, at least one perfumery base, and optionally at least oneperfumery adjuvant.

It is useful to mention here that the possibility to have, in thecompositions mentioned above, more than one compound of formula (I) isimportant as it enables the perfumer to prepare accords, perfumes,possessing the odor tonality of various compounds of the invention,creating thus new tools for their work.

Preferably, any mixture resulting directly from a chemical synthesis,e.g. without an adequate purification, in which the compound of theinvention would be involved as a starting, intermediate or end-productcould not be considered as a perfuming composition according to theinvention.

Furthermore, the invention's compound can also be advantageously used inall the fields of modern perfumery to positively impart or modify theodor of a consumer product into which said compound (I) is added.Consequently, a perfumed article comprising:

-   i) as perfuming ingredient, at least one compound of formula (I), as    defined above, or an invention's perfuming composition; and-   ii) a consumer product base;    is also an object of the present invention.

For the sake of clarity, it has to be mentioned that, by “consumerproduct base” we mean here a consumer product, which is compatible withperfuming ingredients. In other words, a perfumed article according tothe invention comprises the functional formulation, as well asoptionally additional benefit agents, corresponding to a consumerproduct, e.g. a detergent or an air freshener, and an olfactiveeffective amount of at least one invention's compound.

The nature and type of the constituents of the consumer product do notwarrant a more detailed description here, which in any case would not beexhaustive, the skilled person being able to select them on the basis ofits general knowledge and according to the nature and the desired effectof said product.

Examples of suitable consumer product bases include solid or liquiddetergents and fabric softeners as well as all the other articles commonin perfumery, namely perfumes, colognes or after-shave lotions, perfumedsoaps, shower or bath salts, mousses, oils or gels, hygiene products orhair care products such as shampoos, body-care products, deodorants orantiperspirants, air fresheners and also cosmetic preparations. Asdetergents there are intended applications such as detergentcompositions or cleaning products for washing up or for cleaning varioussurfaces, e.g. intended for textile, dish or hard-surface treatment,whether they are intended for domestic or industrial use. Other perfumedarticles are fabric refreshers, ironing waters, papers, wipes orbleaches.

Some of the above-mentioned consumer product bases may represent anaggressive medium for the invention's compound, so that it may benecessary to protect the latter from premature decomposition, forexample by encapsulation.

The proportions in which the compounds according to the invention can beincorporated into the various aforementioned articles or compositionsvary within a wide range of values. These values are dependent on thenature of the article to be perfumed and on the desired organolepticeffect as well as the nature of the co-ingredients in a given base whenthe compounds according to the invention are mixed with perfumingco-ingredients, solvents or additives commonly used in the art.

For example, in the case of perfuming compositions, typicalconcentrations are in the order of 0.1% to 20% by weight, or even more,of the compounds of the invention based on the weight of the compositioninto which they are incorporated. Concentrations lower than these, suchas in the order of 0.001% to 1% by weight, can be used when thesecompounds are incorporated into perfumed articles, percentage beingrelative to the weight of the article.

The invention's compounds can be prepared according to a method asdescribed herein below in the Examples.

EXAMPLES

The invention will now be described in further detail by way of thefollowing examples, wherein the abbreviations have the usual meaning inthe art, the temperatures are indicated in degrees centigrade (° C.);the NMR spectral data were recorded in CDCl₃ (if not stated otherwise)with a 360 or 400 MHz machine for ¹H and ¹³C, the chemical shifts δ areindicated in ppm with respect to TMS as standard, the coupling constantsJ are expressed in Hz.

Example 1 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula (I)

Prepraration of (-)-propyl (2S)-2-(isobutyryloxy)propanoate

To a solution of (-)-propyl lactate (26.44 g, 0.2 mole, [α]²⁰ _(D)=−6°(1.6%, CHCl₃), triethylamine (30.36 g, 0.3 mole) in dichloromethane (300ml) at 0° was slowly added isobutyryl chloride (32.44 g, 0.3 mole).After 30 minutes at 0° and 2.5 hours at room temperature, the mixturewas quenched with 250 ml of iced 7% aqueous HCl and then the organicphase was washed with aqueous bicarbonate, water and dried over sodiumsulphate. Evaporation of the dichloromethane provided a residue whichwas fractionated using a Fischer column to give 31.26 g(B.p._(10 mbars)=93-94°, yield=77.3%) of >99% pure(-)-propyl-(2S)-2-(isobutyryloxy)-propanoate.

[α]²⁰ _(D)=−38° (2.5%, CHCl₃).

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): 0.94 (t: J=7, 3H); 1.19 (d: J=7, 3H); 1.22 (d:J=7, 3H); 1.49 (d: J=7, 3H); 1.67 (m, 2H), 2.63 (m, 1H), 4.10 (m, 2H),5.07 (q: J=7, 1H).

¹³C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): 10.3 (q), 17.0 (q), 18.7 (q), 18.9 (q), 21.9(t), 33.7 (d), 66.8 (t), 68.4 (d), 171.0 (s), 176.5 (s).

Prepraration of (-)-ethyl (S)-2-(propanoyloxy)propanoate

(-)-Ethyl lactate (20.0 g, 0.17 mole, [α]²⁰ _(D)=−10.5° (neat)) wasesterified with propionyl chloride as described before.(B.p._(1 mbar)=31°, yield=83%)

[α]²⁰ _(D)=−47.5° (2.0%, CHCl₃).

¹H-NMR: 1.17 (t, J=7, 3H); 1.28 (t, J=7, 3H); 1.48 (d, J=7, 3H); 2.41(m, 2H); 4.20 (q, J=7, 2H); 5.07 (q, J=7, 1H).

¹³C-NMR: 9.0 (q), 14.1 (q), 16.9 (q), 27.3 (t), 61.3 (t), 68.5 (d),171.0 (s), 173.8 (s).

Prepraration of (-)-(S)-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl pivalate

(-)-Ethyl lactate (20.0 g, 0.17 mole, [α]²⁰ _(D)=−10.5° (neat)) wasesterified with pivaloyl chloride as described before.(B.p._(3 mbars)=83°, yield=77%)

[α]²⁰ _(D)=−26.6° (2.0%, CHCl₃).

¹H-NMR: 1.24 (s, 9H); 1.27 (t, J=7, 3H); 1.48 (d, J=7, 3H); 4.19 (m,2H); 5.03 (q, J=7, 1H).

¹³C-NMR: 14.1 (q), 16.8 (q), 27.0 (3q), 38.5 (s), 61.2 (t), 68.4 (d),171.0 (s), 177.9 (s).

Example 2 Preparation of a Perfuming Composition

A perfuming composition for a detergent was prepared by admixing thefollowing ingredients:

Parts by Ingredient weight Isobornyl acetate 40 Dimethyl benzyl carbinylacetate 10 Aldehyde C 12 3 Aldehyde MNA 2 Methyl anthranilate 10 Benzylacetone 15 Cetalox ® ¹⁾ 10 Citronellol 100(1′R,E)-2-ethyl-4-(2′,2′,3′-trimethyl- 103′-cyclopenten-1′-yl)-2-buten-1-ol ²⁾ Dihydromyrcenol 40 Doremox ® ³⁾ 5Hedione ® ⁴⁾ 25 Heliotropine 5 Iralia Total ® ⁵⁾ 20 Iso E Super ® ⁶⁾ 150Lavandin 5 Lemonile ® ⁷⁾ 5 Mayol ® ⁸⁾ 20 Methyl naphthyl ketone 2 10%*Mousse Cristal 15 Neobutenone ® ⁹⁾ Alpha 3Trans-1-(2,2,6-trimethyl-1-cyclo- 5 hexyl)-3-hexanol ²⁾ Rose oxide 3Phenylhexanol 30 Verdyl propionate 60 Romascone ® ¹⁰⁾ 2 Verdox ® ¹¹⁾ 20010%** Violettyne ¹²⁾ 5 800 *in dipropyleneglycol **in isopropylemyristate ¹⁾ dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-naphtho[2,1-b]furan;origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland ²⁾ origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland³⁾ tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-phenyl-2H-pyran; origin: Firmenich SA,Switzerland ⁴⁾ methyl dihydrojasmonate; origin: Firmenich SA,Switzerland ⁵⁾ methyl ionones; origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland ⁶⁾1-(octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-1-ethanone; origin:IFF, USA ⁷⁾ 3,7-dimethyl-2/3,6-nonadienenitrile; origin: Givaudan SA,Switzerland ⁸⁾ cis-7-P-menthanol; origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland ⁹⁾1-(5,5-dimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-4-penten-1-one; origin: Firmenich SA,Switzerland ¹⁰⁾ methyl2,2-dimethyl-6-methylene-1-cyclohexanecarboxylate; origin: Firmenich SA,Switzerland ¹¹⁾ 2-tert-butyl-1-cyclohexyl acetate; origin: IFF, USA ¹²⁾1,3-undecadien-5-yne; origin: Firmenich SA, SwitzerlandThe addition of 50 parts by weight of (-)-propyl(2S)-2-(isobutyryloxy)propanoate imparted to the original perfumingbase, which was devoid of any fruity note, a fruity velvety top noteevoking a fresh apricot.

Example 3 Preparation of a Perfuming Composition

A perfuming composition for a eau de cologne for man was prepared byadmixing the following ingredients:

Parts by Ingredient weight 10%*Aldehyde MNA 10 Allyl Amyl Glycolate 15Cedroxyde ® ¹⁾ 120 Coumarine 5 Damascone Alpha 2 Dihydroestragole 3 10%*7-Methyl-2H,4H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3-one ²⁾ 25 Galbex ® ³⁾ 45 Géraniumessential oil 20 Habanolide ® ⁴⁾ 60 Hedione ® ⁵⁾ HC 80 Heliopropanal ²⁾10 Iso E Super ® ⁶⁾ 140 Lavandin 50 Lyral ® ⁷⁾ 30 Mousse Cristal 10Muscenone ® ⁸⁾ Delta 10 Nirvanol ® ⁹⁾ 30Trans-1-(2,2,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexyl)-3-hexanol 5 10%* Rose oxide 101-Methyl-4-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-3-cyclohexene- 20 1-carbaldehydeRomandolide ® ¹⁰⁾ 110 Amyl salicylate 20 Vertofix Coeur ® ¹¹⁾ 50 10%*2,4-Dimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carbaldehyde 20 900 *in dipropyleneglycol¹⁾ trimethyl-13-oxabicyclo-[10.1.0]-trideca-4,8-diene; origin: FirmenichSA, Switzerland ²⁾ origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland ³⁾ perfumingcomposition; origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland ⁴⁾ pentadecenolide;origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland ⁵⁾ methyl dihydrojasmonate; origin:Firmenich SA, Switzerland ⁶⁾1-(octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-1-ethanone; origin:IFF, USA ⁷⁾ 4/3-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carbaldehyde;origin: IFF, USA ⁸⁾ 3-methyl-(4/5)-cyclopentadecenone; origin: FirmenichSA, Switzerland ⁹⁾3,3-dimethyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol;origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland ¹⁰⁾(1S,1′R)-[1-(3′,3′-dimethyl-1′-cyclohexyl)ethoxycarbonyl]methylpropanoate; origin: Firmenich SA, Switzerland ¹¹⁾ Methyl cedryl ketone;origin: IFF, USAThe addition of 150 parts by weight of (-)-propyl(2S)-2-(isobutyryloxy)propanoate imparted to the original cologne afruity freshness which married very well with the lavandin and which wasvery different from the note provided by the use of ethyl2-acetoxoypropanoate, which imparted a green-herbaceous connotation.

1.-8. (canceled)
 9. A method to confer, enhance, improve or modify theodor properties of a perfuming composition or of a perfumed article,which method comprises adding to the composition or article an effectiveamount of at least a compound of formula

in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or of a mixture thereof, andwherein R¹ represents a C₁₋₃ alkyl or alkenyl group, R² represents amethyl or ethyl group, R³ represents a C₁₋₄ alkyl or alkenyl group, andsaid compound (I) has from 8 to 12 carbon atoms.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the compound has 8 or 10 carbon atoms. 11.The method according to claim 9, wherein R¹ represents a C₂ or C₃ alkylgroup.
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein R³ represents a C₂₋₄alkyl group.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the compoundis (-)-propyl (2S)-2-(isobutyryloxy)propanoate.
 14. A perfumingingredient in the form of a composition comprising i) at least acompound of formula (I), as defined in claim 9; ii) at least oneingredient selected from the group consisting of a perfumery carrier anda perfumery base; and iii) optionally at least one perfumery adjuvant.15. A perfumed article comprising i) at least one compound of formula(I), as defined in claim 9; and ii) a consumer product base.
 16. Aperfumed article according to claim 15, wherein the consumer productbase is a solid or liquid detergent, a fabric softener, a perfume, acologne or after-shave lotion, a perfumed soap, a shower or bath salt,mousse, oil or gel, a hygiene product, a hair care product, a shampoo, abody-care product, a deodorant or antiperspirant, an air freshener, acosmetic preparation, a fabric refresher, an ironing water, a paper, awipe or a bleach.
 17. A compound of formula

in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or of a mixture thereof, andwherein R¹ represents a C₁₋₃ alkyl group, R² represents a methyl orethyl group, R³ represents a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, and said compound (I) has10 carbon atoms, provided that (1S)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethylpyruvate is excluded.
 18. The compound of claim 17 specifically as(-)-propyl (2S)-2-(isobutyryloxy)propanoate.